Best of 2018 (So Far) – Part 2

2018 has been an amazing year of music releases. Here are some of my favorite albums and songs that have been released this year so far.

Netta – “Toy”

Who knew that a song that was based off chicken noises would make such an impact worldwide? That is exactly what Netta, the Israeli singer who won the 2018 Eurovision competition, has done. At time of writing, the song has 80 million views on the official Eurovision YouTube channel and is only gaining views daily. Written about the “Me Too” movement, the song is girl power at its finest, wrapped up in an addictive beat. In the wider scheme of things, it also shows how music unites people around the world. You will not be able to get this song out of your head and it is just a matter of time before you make the chicken noises yourself.

Don Broco – Technology

Don Broco is a band that has blown me away this year. Their third studio album Technology – released in February – is a banger from start to finish. This album gets played about once a week – sometimes more, never less. “T-Shirt Song” was my favorite from the beginning, which has not changed, but “Good Listener” and “L’” have become recent favorites, as well.  Technology has a lot of subtleties weaved throughout, whether it be in the music or the lyrics, that take multiple listens to start hearing. Even after months of listening to the album, I find something new in it every time I play it. Don Broco cemented their position as one of my favorite bands of 2018 when I saw them open for Our Last Night in March of this year and Technology has a really good chance of being my top album of the year.

Blacktop Mojo – “It Won’t Last”

This song is not available for download as of right now; in fact, you can currently only hear it on YouTube or other social medias. “It Won’t Last” is a song that Blacktop Mojo included in their setlist during their most recent tour and I was really impressed when I heard it. While I am a big fan of the up and coming rock band, they needed a bit of practice when it came to writing original songs. I think “It Won’t Last” marks the beginning of their journey to being serious songwriters. The tune is bluesy and different from the original music the group has released thus far. It includes a mesmerizing guitar solo and solid work from each band member. It is a terrific song that was performed splendidly and definitely worth checking out on YouTube.

Royal Bliss – “Devil With Angel Eyes”

Royal Bliss is one of my newer discoveries, thanks to YouTube recommending “Devil With Angel Eyes.” The sound is a mix of country meets southern rock with some “Sons Of Anarchy” vibes thrown in. It is gritty and superbly well-written, much more than I was expecting. The chorus got stuck in my head almost immediately after I heard it, which is always a good sign. This song has put Royal Bliss on my radar and makes me excited to discover what other music they have released.

Abby Anderson – “Make Him Wait”

“Make Him Wait” snuck up on me one day when I was listening to my local country music station. The song is simple and that is exactly what makes it so good. The writing is superb; it is perfectly performed without anything complicating the elegance of the song. It is one of those songs that stops you in your tracks when you hear it. I have become a big fan of hers and I think she is going to make a big impact on country music in the next few years.

Sevendust – All I See Is War

I have said it before and I will keep saying it: Sevendust is one of the most underrated bands in the entire music industry. All I See Is War is the twelfth release from a band who celebrated the 20^th anniversary of their debut album last year. Sevendust’s previous releases have been much heavier; this release calms the sound down to something that would fit into the hard rock genre more than the metal genre, but I think it is their best yet. They achieve a quality of sound that they have not managed to achieve in any of their previous albums, which is a direct result of their years of experience. “God Bites His Tongue,” “Not Original,” and “Life Deceives You” are my current favorites, but this is one of those rare albums where I genuinely like every track. All I See Is War is another top contender for album of the year.

The songs and albums that have been released in 2018 so far have surpassed expectations. It is going to be very interesting seeing what the rest of the year has to offer.

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Post by Karen Shalev

What are your favorite albums and songs of 2018 so far? Comment below.

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